I started to mock up the tailgate this evening. Like everything else off the old tub, the tailgate is crap. It never closed right on the CJ and now I see why. I always thought it was the seal pushing it out. Nope. Stupid thing is bowed something ridiculous. Not even gonna screw around trying to straighten it. Oh MoC.... got a good tailgate???

Had a chance to do a little more this afternoon. Some hammer and dolly work on some small dents inside the tub. Did some metal shrinking and welding more holes and still have more to fill. Looks like the rear driver side corner was damaged and repaired at some point. Found body filler and a ton of holes that we obviously used with a dent puller. I welded the gas door closed and straightened the metal some more. I will weld up the dozen hole from the dent puller. I put a straight-edge on it as I worked and the panel is a mess. I got the low spots to 1/8 or less. Body filler will be this panels friend.

I think your work is pretty exceptional, Paul. For a first-timer?? C'mon... I hope I pick it up as well as you. One thing I... discovered? Learned? Figured out? A person can, and likely will, change their mind several times during a build. For the life of me I don't know how Keith or Mike took their Jeeps to such a finished state. I can tell you for sure it is NOT in me! I settled and settled, and settled a little more, accepting things that I strove to eliminate, due strictly to time and effort. And I am tickled to death! I learned something about myself, and I am not unhappy with what I learned.

__________________KerrdogGo Fish!<*////><

But the right word at the right time... "Hey, give me a little hug!" That's the difference between lightning and a harmless lightning bug!

I think your work is pretty exceptional, Paul. For a first-timer?? C'mon... I hope I pick it up as well as you. One thing I... discovered? Learned? Figured out? A person can, and likely will, change their mind several times during a build. For the life of me I don't know how Keith or Mike took their Jeeps to such a finished state. I can tell you for sure it is NOT in me! I settled and settled, and settled a little more, accepting things that I strove to eliminate, due strictly to time and effort. And I am tickled to death! I learned something about myself, and I am not unhappy with what I learned.

I couldn't have said it better, Scott!

And...as Paul is finding out...bodywork can be a PITA. Many times we are forced to settle, somewhat. But...often, the little things that we settle for, are only known, not to be perfect, by us, the owner. That is, unless we tell everybody that it's not perfect, on a forum...

And...as Paul is finding out...bodywork can be a PITA. Many times we are forced to settle, somewhat. But...often, the little things that we settle for, are only known, not to be perfect, by us, the owner. That is, unless we tell everybody that it's not perfect, on a forum...

Rich

uhh... MY Jeep's perfect!

__________________KerrdogGo Fish!<*////><

But the right word at the right time... "Hey, give me a little hug!" That's the difference between lightning and a harmless lightning bug!